6 hidden plastics you probably weren't aware of

I have spoken many times about plastic and the dangers that over-exposure to plastic does to us, from BPA, which is classed as a carcinogen, to the estrogenic nature of plastic. We know we need to reduce our contact and consumption, but often in today's modern world, plastic is hidden from us in the places we'd least expect.

So where are these plastics hidden, and what should we use instead? Well, that's exactly what we'll cover in this article,  let's get to overturning some stones.

1. Razor blades

I have written a whole article on how modern day shaving blades have a huge ingredients list, containing lots of petroleum and plastic-derived ingredients, not to mention the lubricants and "anti-irritation" ingredients. But unfortunately, even when switching to a single safety razor blade, the blades are often coated in a polymer, so sourcing from a brand that doesn't do this is key, the blades may rust faster, but at least you'll avoid the plastic when shaving. Always look for the words "plastic-free" or "uncoated"!

It's safe to say switching to safety razors is best for avoiding coating and unwanted ingredients, as well as avoiding plastic leaching into your skin. You needn't spend a lot, but more brands are bringing out multi-blade safety razors to make shaving even easier and less of a reason to rely on expensive razor blades which are harming your health.

2. Toilet roll + kitchen roll/paper

One of the most unexpected places to find plastic, and in particular BPA, is in our toilet and kitchen paper. BPA, otherwise known as Bisphenol A, is a known endocrine disruptor and as mentioned at the start has been classed as carcinogenic, which is why it has been closely regulated in food-grade plastics but unfortunately is still widely used.

When it comes to toilet and kitchen paper, we are often using these on intimate parts of our body or cleaning surfaces ready to eat. Even when we are unwell, we often turn to tissue paper to help clear our nose, unknowingly introducing a host of chemicals to our skin.

Thankfully, many alternatives have now arisen, undyed and unbleached bamboo paper is perhaps the best on the market now for ensuring you avoid BPA and other chemicals that go into conventional toilet, kitchen, and tissue paper.

3. Period products

Another area that has been corrupted with plastics and BPA is period products. Again, being an intimate area, this is one we need to pay close attention to. Most are aware of the dangers of polyester underwear, but most forget to check the ingredients of period products. Upon checking the ingredients of many period pads, tampons, or other products may have you shocked.

Again, BPA comes into play here, along with glues and other plastics. Thankfully, switching to plastic-free organic cotton is so easy to do, with so many options available, whether it's reusable period underwear or organic cotton pads. Reducing your toxin exposure in such a key area can massively help your health and reduce your estrogen levels by reducing plastic consumption through the skin barrier.

4. Receipts

The most common way people ingest BPA isn't through plastic water bottles but through receipts. Thermal paper, which receipts are printed onto, is extremely high in BPA, add to that the fact these are heated when printed and always touched with bare skin, and it's a recipe for ingesting a large amount of BPA through your skin.

Now, of course, there isn't an alternative here unless shops start using real paper again, and this isn't to scare you away from ever buying in person again. But opting for an emailed receipt is often a great way to avoid receipts being printed, and if, as in most cases, you don't need it, simply ask the cashier to bin the receipt for you!

5. Tea bags + disposable coffee cups

Tea bags have been around for a long time, but have you ever thought about how they're made, and of what? Surely just paper? Wrong, they often contain microplastics and glues which are toxic, again risking exposure to BPA and adding more plastic consumption when it can easily be avoided.

Opting for loose leaf tea is a great way to avoid tea bags, using a reusable loose leaf tea leaf strainer made of stainless steel is probably the best way to still enjoy tea just without the harmful bags, loose leaf tea is arguably better too!

Disposable coffee cups are also another source of hidden plastics, with plastic linings, even when marketed as biodegradable, these can still be hiding plastics. Instead, opt to use your own reusable coffee cup, or sit in to enjoy your coffee if you have the time.

6. Chewing gum

Chewing gum may be more well known to some for containing plastics, not to mention the many other harmful ingredients that are massively common in 99% of chewing gum on the market. The introduction of microplastics into the gut, along with absorption through your saliva, is never going to be beneficial for health. Add in the fact that so much gum ends up on streets and in landfill, unable to decompose, and it's a wonder why people still turn to conventional gum.

Instead, opting for mastic gum is a great move. Mastic gum is essentially dried tree sap from certain trees on Greek islands, but it's not just natural and plastic-free, it's also incredible for gut and oral health. Being antimicrobial, it can help target gut issues such as H. pylori and aid digestion. Once again, nature has the answer.

To summarise

Now, all this isn't meant to scare you, it's just meant to inform. Being aware of what is lurking in things you thought were safe is the key to better health. It's not about being neurotic with this either, sometimes things are unavoidable, and a little intake of plastic or BPA won't significantly harm you. It's the constant exposure over time that we want to avoid, small swaps every day help reduce the exposure and help you feel better.